Willis Marshall
Encyclopedia
Willis Thurman Marshall III (born August 12, 1975, in Detroit
, Michigan
) is an Arena football
Wide Receiver
/ Defensive back
for the who is currently a free agent
. He was most recently with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. He played college football
at Youngstown State
.
In his career, Marshall has played for the Calgary Stampeders
, Grand Rapids Rampage
, Colorado Crush
, and Dallas Desperados
. He was teammates with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Jeff Garcia
in 1998, when the Stampeders won the 86th Grey Cup
.
in Detroit where he competed in football
, basketball
and track
. He was a member of the football team that won the State Championship in 1990.
, where he played for future Ohio State
head coach
, Jim Tressel
, as well as lettered
in football
. Youngstown State won the NCAA Division I-AA national championship in 1993, 1994 and 1997.
As a freshman, Marshall recorded four tackles, one forced fumble
and one fumble recovery as a Defensive back. As a sophomore, he switched from Defensive back to Wide receiver, and recorded 10 receptions
for 97 yards. As a junior, he recorded 24 receptions
for 305 yards and one touchdown
as a junior. As a senior, he led the team in receiving with 40 receptions for 490 yards and one touchdown en route to the Penguins third Division I-AA Championship in four years. He finished his college career with 74 receptions for 892 yards. He also graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Advertising
and Communications.
and 1999
seasons in the Canadian Football League
with the Calgary Stampeders
. The Stampeders won the 86th Grey Cup
in 1998, with Jeff Garcia
as their quarterback
.
, Marshall signed with the Grand Rapids Rampage
of the Arena Football League. In seven games as a rookie
, he recorded 35 receptions for 440 yards and five touchdowns. On defense he recorded 14 tackles. In 2002
, he was named Second-team All-Arena after leading the Rampage in receptions with 80, receiving yards with 973, kickoff return yards with 813 and all-purpose yards with 1,791 in addition to recording 15 receiving touchdowns in 14 games. he recorded a season-high 118 receiving yards on five receptions with one touchdown on the road against the Arizona Rattlers
. In 2003
, he recorded team highs in kickoff returns with 31 and kickoff return yards with 732, and ranked second on the team in all-purpose yards with 1,741. On offensve he recorded 75 receptions for 904 yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games. He recorded a season-high 11 receptions for 98 yards with three touchdowns on the road against the Dallas Desperados
.
. For his first season
with the Crush, he recorded 86 receptions for 854 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games. He ranked second on the team in receptions and scoring among non-kickers with 120 points. He recorded one net recovery for a touchdown in his Crush debut against the Las Vegas Gladiators. He recorded a season-high 10 receptions for 93 yards on the road against the San Jose SaberCats
.
In 2005
, he recorded 79 receptions for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns in addition to recording five yards on 15 carries and six touchdowns on offense in 15 games. He also recorded 42 kickoff returns for 932 kickoff return yards, and 29.5 tackles, four passes defensed and one forced fumble on defense. For his performance that season he was named to the AFL’s All-Ironman Team. He recorded 11 receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown in addition to two carries for two yards for two touchdowns on offense against the Nashville Kats
, and was named Ironman of the Game. He was also named ArenaBowl
MVP, after the Crush won ArenaBowl XIX
over the Dallas Desperados, 51-48.
In 2006
, he recorded career highs in receptions with 100, receiving yards with 992, rushing attempts with 22, rushing yards with 72, kickoff returns with 79 and kickoff return yards with 1,580 in 16 games. He ranked third in the league in all-purpose yards with 2,6674, which set a new franchise single-season record and was named to the AFL’s All-Ironman Team for his performance.
He recorded seven receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns on offense against the Chicago Rush
in addition to recording 5.5 tackles on defense, he earned Ironman of the Game for his performance. He was named Offensive Player of the Game and Ironman of the Game agasint the Gladiators after recording 126 kickoff return yards on five attempts, and eight receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns on offense. He recorded 275 all-purpose yards against the Ramapge by recording 198 kickoff return yards on seven attempts and 77 receiving yards on four receptions and one touchdown. He was named Ironman of the Game for his performance.
, Marshall signed with the Dallas Desperados. In his only season in Dallas, he finished third on the team in receiving with 66 receptions for 747 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 games. He also recorded 29 kickoff returns for 485 yards. He also recorded 13.5 tackles and one interception on defense.
. During the 2008
season, he played in three games for the Force, and recorded two receptions for 19 yards, and 11 carries for 20 yards on offense. Along with two tackles on defense, and 21 kickoff returns for 354 yards. He was released on March 28.
and Georgia Force Fullback
Robert Thomas. Marshall, also co-owns his own business, 4ward Motion, an event and party planning company in Detroit. Growing up his favorite players football
players growing up were Walter Payton
and Billy Sims
. Marshall appeared in Disney
’s movie The Game Plan
as a Defensive back
and running back.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
) is an Arena football
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
Wide Receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
/ Defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
for the who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was most recently with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Youngstown State
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
.
In his career, Marshall has played for the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
, Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
, Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush
Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009...
, and Dallas Desperados
Dallas Desperados
The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008....
. He was teammates with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
in 1998, when the Stampeders won the 86th Grey Cup
86th Grey Cup
The 86th Grey Cup was held in 1998 in Winnipeg. The Calgary Stampeders won the game over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats with a score of 26-24.-Game summary:...
.
High school career
Marshall attended Brother Rice High SchoolBrother Rice High School (Michigan)
Brother Rice High School is a Roman Catholic all-boys non-residential college prep school with approximately 700 students located in Bloomfield Township, Michigan . Until 1993 its address was in neighboring Birmingham, Michigan's postal district. In 1993 the U.S...
in Detroit where he competed in football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
. He was a member of the football team that won the State Championship in 1990.
College career
Marshall attended Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
, where he played for future Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
, Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
, as well as lettered
Varsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
in football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
. Youngstown State won the NCAA Division I-AA national championship in 1993, 1994 and 1997.
As a freshman, Marshall recorded four tackles, one forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
and one fumble recovery as a Defensive back. As a sophomore, he switched from Defensive back to Wide receiver, and recorded 10 receptions
Reception (American football)
In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving...
for 97 yards. As a junior, he recorded 24 receptions
Reception (American football)
In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving...
for 305 yards and one touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
as a junior. As a senior, he led the team in receiving with 40 receptions for 490 yards and one touchdown en route to the Penguins third Division I-AA Championship in four years. He finished his college career with 74 receptions for 892 yards. He also graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
and Communications.
Canadian Football League (1998 - 1999)
Marshall played the 19981998 CFL season
-1998 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Mike Pringle , Montreal Alouettes*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Mike Morreale , Hamilton Tiger-Cats*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Joe Montford , Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
and 1999
1999 CFL season
-1999 CFL Awards:*CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award – Danny McManus , Hamilton Tiger-Cats*CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award – Mike O'Shea , Toronto Argonauts*CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – Calvin Tiggle , Hamilton Tiger-Cats...
seasons in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
with the Calgary Stampeders
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium...
. The Stampeders won the 86th Grey Cup
86th Grey Cup
The 86th Grey Cup was held in 1998 in Winnipeg. The Calgary Stampeders won the game over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats with a score of 26-24.-Game summary:...
in 1998, with Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia
Jeffrey Jason "Jeff" Garcia is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at San Jose State University....
as their quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
.
Grand Rapids Rampage (2001 - 2003)
In 20012001 Arena Football League season
The 2001 Arena Football League season was the 15th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Grand Rapids Rampage, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
, Marshall signed with the Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
of the Arena Football League. In seven games as a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
, he recorded 35 receptions for 440 yards and five touchdowns. On defense he recorded 14 tackles. In 2002
2002 Arena Football League season
The 2002 Arena Football League season was the 16th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVI...
, he was named Second-team All-Arena after leading the Rampage in receptions with 80, receiving yards with 973, kickoff return yards with 813 and all-purpose yards with 1,791 in addition to recording 15 receiving touchdowns in 14 games. he recorded a season-high 118 receiving yards on five receptions with one touchdown on the road against the Arizona Rattlers
Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...
. In 2003
2003 Arena Football League season
The 2003 Arena Football League season was the 17th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVII. The AFL expanded its season to a 16-game schedule...
, he recorded team highs in kickoff returns with 31 and kickoff return yards with 732, and ranked second on the team in all-purpose yards with 1,741. On offensve he recorded 75 receptions for 904 yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games. He recorded a season-high 11 receptions for 98 yards with three touchdowns on the road against the Dallas Desperados
Dallas Desperados
The Dallas Desperados were a professional Arena Football team. The Desperados played in the Southern Division of the now-defunct Arena Football League from 2002 to 2008....
.
Colorado Crush (2004 - 2006)
On November 11, 2003, Marshall signed with the Colorado CrushColorado Crush
Colorado Crush were an Arena Football League team that began play as a 2003 expansion team. The Crush played in the Central Division of the American Conference until the Arena Football League suspended operations in 2009...
. For his first season
2004 Arena Football League season
The 2004 Arena Football League season was the 18th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVIII...
with the Crush, he recorded 86 receptions for 854 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games. He ranked second on the team in receptions and scoring among non-kickers with 120 points. He recorded one net recovery for a touchdown in his Crush debut against the Las Vegas Gladiators. He recorded a season-high 10 receptions for 93 yards on the road against the San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
.
In 2005
2005 Arena Football League season
The 2005 Arena Football League season was the 19th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Colorado Crush, who defeated the Georgia Force in ArenaBowl XIX. The AFL changed its playoff format to allow the top four teams per conference to make the playoffs. Previously, the...
, he recorded 79 receptions for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns in addition to recording five yards on 15 carries and six touchdowns on offense in 15 games. He also recorded 42 kickoff returns for 932 kickoff return yards, and 29.5 tackles, four passes defensed and one forced fumble on defense. For his performance that season he was named to the AFL’s All-Ironman Team. He recorded 11 receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown in addition to two carries for two yards for two touchdowns on offense against the Nashville Kats
Nashville Kats
The Nashville Kats were an Arena Football League team, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were last coached by Pat Sperduto, who coached the team's original incarnation to two ArenaBowl appearances prior to the original franchise's move to Atlanta in 2002...
, and was named Ironman of the Game. He was also named ArenaBowl
ArenaBowl
The ArenaBowl is the Arena Football League's championship game. From 1987 to 2004, the ArenaBowl was hosted by either the team with the better regular-season record or the higher seeding in the playoffs. From ArenaBowl XIX in 2005 until ArenaBowl XXII in 2008, the game was played at a neutral site...
MVP, after the Crush won ArenaBowl XIX
ArenaBowl XIX
ArenaBowl XIX was the 2005 championship game of the Arena Football League , and was played at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first-ever neutral-site title game in AFL history drew 10,822 fans to see the Colorado Crush defeat the Georgia Force 51–48 to claim the Foster ArenaBowl...
over the Dallas Desperados, 51-48.
In 2006
2006 Arena Football League season
The 2006 Arena Football League season was the 20th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Chicago Rush, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl XX....
, he recorded career highs in receptions with 100, receiving yards with 992, rushing attempts with 22, rushing yards with 72, kickoff returns with 79 and kickoff return yards with 1,580 in 16 games. He ranked third in the league in all-purpose yards with 2,6674, which set a new franchise single-season record and was named to the AFL’s All-Ironman Team for his performance.
He recorded seven receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns on offense against the Chicago Rush
Chicago Rush
The Chicago Rush is an arena football team based in Rosemont, Illinois. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame player and coach.The Rush have qualified for the...
in addition to recording 5.5 tackles on defense, he earned Ironman of the Game for his performance. He was named Offensive Player of the Game and Ironman of the Game agasint the Gladiators after recording 126 kickoff return yards on five attempts, and eight receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns on offense. He recorded 275 all-purpose yards against the Ramapge by recording 198 kickoff return yards on seven attempts and 77 receiving yards on four receptions and one touchdown. He was named Ironman of the Game for his performance.
Dallas Desperados (2007)
In 20072007 Dallas Desperados season
The 2007 Dallas Desperados season was the 6th season for the franchise. They look to make the playoffs again after finishing 2006 with an 13-3 record...
, Marshall signed with the Dallas Desperados. In his only season in Dallas, he finished third on the team in receiving with 66 receptions for 747 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 games. He also recorded 29 kickoff returns for 485 yards. He also recorded 13.5 tackles and one interception on defense.
Georgia Force (2008)
On December 5, 2007, Marshall signed with the Georgia ForceGeorgia Force
The Georgia Force are an Arena Football League team based in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States that plays in the South Division of the American Conference. The team is owned by Doug MacGregor and Donn Jennings...
. During the 2008
2008 Georgia Force season
The 2008 Georgia Force season is the seventh season for the franchise. Starting the season 3-5, the Force finished the regular season with 7 wins in their last 8 games, ending with a 10-6 record, and winning their second consecutive Southern Division title, allowing them to enter the playoffs as...
season, he played in three games for the Force, and recorded two receptions for 19 yards, and 11 carries for 20 yards on offense. Along with two tackles on defense, and 21 kickoff returns for 354 yards. He was released on March 28.
Cleveland Gladiators (2008 - present)
Marshall then signed with the Cleveland Gladiators. With the Gladiators, he recorded 61 receptions for 647 yards and three touchdowns, along with six carries for 21 yards and three touchdowns on offense. He also recorded nine tackles, and one pass broken up on defense. He also recorded 34 kickoff returns for 684 yards.Personal
Marshall is cousins with former Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
and Georgia Force Fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Robert Thomas. Marshall, also co-owns his own business, 4ward Motion, an event and party planning company in Detroit. Growing up his favorite players football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
players growing up were Walter Payton
Walter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football...
and Billy Sims
Billy Sims
Billy Sims is a former college football and NFL running back. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1978.-Early years:...
. Marshall appeared in Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
’s movie The Game Plan
The Game Plan (film)
The Game Plan is a 2007 family comedy film directed by Andy Fickman and starring The Rock. This is the last film in which Johnson uses his ring name "The Rock." This is also the last Disney film to be distributed by Buena Vista, due to Disney semi-retiring the name in May 2007, making all other...
as a Defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
and running back.